F.A.Q.

Hostel FAQ

We have put together this list of the most
frequently asked questions (FAQ) we have received from our
visitors. We hope this helps you find an answer to your question,
and if you have any more questions or additions, please email us
at:info@hostelineurope.com

What is a
hostel?Defining a hostel is not easy, as they are constantly
developing and unlimitedly diverse. However, they share a common
idea: they are all travellers homes which offer cheap
accomodation and a good social experience in a youthful
atmosphere. The means to do so are different from hostel to
hostel. In on you might be up collecting eggs from the chickens
at sunrise, in another you'll be out partying just as long. More
and more hostels are taking the shape of budget hotels and even
offer private rooms with en suite facilities, 24-hour reception,
restaurants, bars and a whole range of facilities. Still, many
hostels remain old school, and you should not expect a lot of
material luxery. Bring an open mind!

Who stays
in hostels?People who like to travel cheap and open-minded, and who like
to meet fellow travellers find themselves staying at hostels all
around the world. People of every range of age, every profession,
race, religion and from all corners of the world.

Where are
hostels located?Hostels are located all over the world! You will find hostels
in small sleepy villages, big metropoiltans and anywhere
in-between. Some are situated in modern buildings, some in
ancient historical buildings, castles, in tipis or in railroad
carriages. Some are located right next to the train station,
others you'll have to hike to find. Search and ye shall find.

What
facilities should I expect?
The facilities differs from hostel to hostel, so it is advicable
to do some research before you go. However, here is some of what
you can expect in general: Private rooms and
dormitories Most hostels offer private rooms
as well as dormitories with bunk-beds. The size of the
dormitories varies, but usually they range from 4-20 beds.
Sometimes, but not always, the dormitories are separated by sex.
Bathrooms and showers are either in the room (en suite) or close
by. Food and beverageSome hostels
offers free breakfast, and some even give you free dinner! They
are also usually equipped with a kitchen where you can prepare
your own food. Some hostels also have their own restaurant or
pub, or they have discounts for their guests at a local
restaurant. Atmosphere Each hostel
offers a different atmosphere, which is one of the things that
make it such a great experience to go hostelling. You never know
exactly what you are going to get! PeopleYou are bound to meet a lot of fellow travellers when
staying in a hostel. Most hostels are equipped with a lounge
where you can relax, watch television, play games, read, exchange
stories and get travel tips. You are most likely to leave the
hostel with a lot of new friends! Curfews and lockout
Some hostels have a curfew, usually at
midnight or earlier. Some also have a lock-out, which means that
the hostel will be closed for some hours during the day. Ask the
hostel staff. Bedsheets and towels At
some hostels you might have to pay a small deposit or fee to get
the bedsheets and a towel. Internet access Some hostels offer this for free, others charge a small fee.
Pick-up Many hostels offer to pick
you up at the nearest train station or airport, usually for free.
Laundry facilitiesMany hostels
have their own, or they will help you find one. Pay-phone access Call home, your
mother is probably worrying about you. BookswappingLike reading while you travel? Many hostels have a bookcase
where you can leave your book and grab a new one!

What kind
of rules exists?
The rules are different from hostel to hostel, and in the end it
is all about common sense and respect .
In a hostel you usually are given a lot of freedom, don't misuse
it. If you come home to the hostel in the middle of the night,
try not to make too much a fuss about getting into bed (a
flashlight becomes very handy!), if there is a queue for the
showers, consider wheter or not you actually should let the
shampoo work for 6 minutes before rinsing it out. Upon arrival,
ask the hostel staff what rules they have.

Will I be
able to get a good nights sleep?
Sleeping in a dormitory, one is exposed to the bodily noises of
the other guests, so consider bringing earplugs. When you are
searching for a hostel, also consider the fact that if you stay
in a hostel with no curfew, people are more likely to come home
at odd hours. It all boils down to common sense and respect, and
most of the time it works out very well.

Is it
clean?While not giving you waxed floors and silverware, hostels are
fairly clean. With a lot of people coming through, the hostels
have to obtain a certain degree of hygiene. The custom is usually
that the guests clean up after themselves when they use
facilities like the kitchen.

How &
what to pack when staying in a hostel?
Usually you would pack your usual stuff, but there are some
things to consider. First of all, travel light! Leave your laptop
at home, it will only keep you looking for safe places to put it
and electrical outlets to recharge it. And those extra pair of
shoes and that extra sweater and the extra pair of pants could
easily become a pain in the ass when your room is located on the
5th floor and the elevator does not exist. Hostels usually don't
come with baggage porters. Second, consider buying a good
backpack. A backpack is by far the best way of getting your stuff
from one place to another. Use some time finding one that's
comfortable and practical. As most hostels don't have closets,
your backpack will serve as that. Apart from that you should also
consider bringing some objects that might come in handy: Soap
and towel: hostels offer bathroom facilities, but
usually not the luxury of soap. Some also offer a towel (either
for free or a small fee), but by bringing your own you are safe.
Towels made of microfibre are a good choice, since they are
compact, light and dry fast. Sleep-sheet:
Bugs consider sleeping bags a good means of transportation,
therefore many hostels does not allow them. Most hostels offer
linen, but you should also consider bringing a sleep-sheet. A
sleep-sheet is basically two sheets sewn together to make a sack.
Earplugs: If you like quiet nights. Flashlight:
Not all dorms have reading lights over each bed, and a
flashlight can be practical if you come home in the middle of the
night and don't want to wake everybody up by turning on the
lights. Padlock: to put on the
locker. Alarmclock: not all hostels offers wakeup calls Small
hairdryer: a few hostels offes hairdryers, but with your own you are
safe. Think of the other guests and try to bring one that makes
as little sound as possible.

Is my
luggage safe?Sleeping in a dormitory rises the
question of where to put your luggage when you are out exploring
the surroundings. In general, backpacks are left in the
dormitories, but all hostels offer some kind of secure storage for
you valuable equipment. Some have lockers inside or outside the
room (usually you have to bring your own padlock), or a safe in
the reception. Some offer this service for free, while other
charge a small fee or deposit. Check with your hostel.

Do I need
to make a reservation?If possible, you should
always try to make a reservation, especially if travelling in the
high season. Different hostels offer different means of booking;
some are affiliated with online booking engines, some offer
booking though e-mail or telephone calls, and if you happen to be
in the city of the hostel, you could always make a booking by
showing up personally. Check the details with your hostel. When
you arrive, try to arrive as early as possible, as this will make
you able to choose the bed you want and check out the facilities
of the hostel.

What
documents do I need yo stay at a hostel?You will need some kind of identification. This is for your
safety in case something happens. Because of the dormitory style,
more information is needed than in a private room arrangement.
Some hostels only accept passports, other accept drivers license
or another kind of national identification card. We advise you to
check this with your hostel before you leave.

What is
the history of hostels?Hostels have probably been around for as long as people have
been travelling, but the hostel movement we are familiar with
today was started by a german schoolteacher named Richard
Schirrmann, in the summer of 1907. Each night the classrooms of
Nette School were cleared of desks and chairs and straw sacks
were put on the floor. Each morning the guests helped put the
classrooms back in order again. Schirrmanns philosophy was "that
the thoughtful young people of all countries could be provided
with suitable meeting places where they could get to know each
other! That could and must be the role of our youth hostels, not
only in Germany, but throughout the world, building a bridge of
peace from nation to nation!"

Why is my
question not here?
We are constanly working to keep this FAQ as updated as possible,
but if you have a question that is not here, send it to us on info@hostelineurope.com
We will get back to you as soon as possible
.